The Waldorf School of Tampa Bay is a 25-year-old private, secular independent Waldorf school located on the Gulf Coast of Florida just minutes from beautiful beaches and wildlife preserves. We are less than 20 miles from the Tampa International Airport, and 25 miles from downtown St. Petersburg.

We serve age three through 8th Grade, with our Parent & Child classes offered for children as young as four months old..  Class size is of critical importance to us, therefore our average class size is 12 - 20 students..  In addition, our early childhood classes each have two, full-time teachers.

We are first and foremost a traditional Waldorf School whose curriculum is informed by child development and the 100+ year old teachings of Rudolf Steiner. This pedagogy is rooted in the science and psychology of child development, and how we know the human being physically, mentally, emotionally and socially unfolds.

Our Early Childhood programs offer play-based curriculum for 3-6 year olds built upon imagination, time spent in nature, physical development, and fostering social skills.  This prepares children for academics in the grades in a safe, gentle and nurturing environment that first and foremost prioritizes the preservation of childhood.

Students in grades 1 through 8 are given robust academics to help them become ‘More Than Smart’. Traditional academics are combined with world languages, music, handwork, art, movement, woodworking and earth stewardship, all in a developmentally appropriate way to stimulate the head, heart and hands.

Our students spend an average of one to three hours outdoors each day, and our Forest Kindergarten program is outside most of the day.

The Waldorf School of Tampa Bay’s Annual Tuition & Policies Package can be viewed here. We do not offer a VPK program, but accept Florida Choice scholarships via Step Up for Students.

We strive for diversity and inclusiveness by attracting and enrolling families of all races, religions, ethnic and economic backgrounds.  Currently, 46% of our students and faculty identify as members of a cultural or ethnic minority.

We believe the Waldorf Difference is more than the transformation of education -- it is a lifestyle for the entire family.  We are a thriving community of active parents, grandparents, caregivers and friends who are passionate about Waldorf education, and enthusiastically participate in school events and do our best to bring the Waldorf principles of Truth, Beauty and Goodness into our home.

Like all Waldorf Schools in the world, we are a screen-free campus and only introduce technology in the Eighth Grade. We ask all our families to practice media mindfulness at home, and all families sign a Mindful Media Agreement prior to enrollment. Our campus provides an oasis from the constant bombardment of technology currently consuming our age.

Students work collaboratively, not competitively.  Teachers frequently evaluate and assess the students in a qualitative way, providing a complete picture of each child’s progress and communicating closely with parents year-round, as opposed to having regular testing.

We are not a special needs school.  We are committed, however, to serving every child we can with our existing curriculum.  Please contact our Enrollment Director to learn more.

What Happens After Waldorf? Please review the linked document outlining the High Schools, Colleges and Universities The Waldorf School of Tampa Bay alumni have attended. You may also like to view this brief video Waldorf Alumni Speak Out.

We are an AWSNA-member school The Association of Waldorf Schools of North America ensures that Waldorf education is independent and inclusive. It upholds the principles of freedom in education and engages independent administration locally, continentally and internationally. It is regionally appropriate education with hundreds of schools worldwide today.

Our school year runs from late August through late May. Interested students with committed families may be accepted mid-year, space permitting. Visit here for the most up-to-date admissions information.